Confidence Boost For Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini will have received a real confidence boost from his goal on Tuesday night, and the reaction from the Manchester United fans, according to team-mate Juan Mata and manager Jose Mourinho.

The Belgian ran to the touchline to hug the boss after nodding in the second goal against Hull City in the EFL Cup semi-final. After conceding a late penalty against former club Everton in early December, the last game United did not win, the midfielder faced criticism but Mourinho has always stood by him.

"Maybe Marouane feels that the manager has belief in him and that is why he celebrated like that," said Mata. "I am very happy for Marouane because he has had difficult times since he came to the club. But he is a great guy. He is a great person. He trains always the best he can. I am delighted for him.

"He always gets on very well with everyone. Since I came here he was a good friend of mine and everyone in the dressing room. Everybody was happy for his goal. When a team-mate is not in the best situation and it is difficult for him. we have to be there to support him.

“I think this will be a boost for his confidence. It was good to hear the stadium singing his name because he deserved it. He is a strong man with experience. He is not a young player. He is 29 so he has lived so many things in football but it is not nice when you play in your own stadium and you have not the best atmosphere. But now it is different and it has changed. I think it is going to be positive for him in the future.

"It makes it easier for you as a player when you feel the confidence of everyone. You feel an even better player. Confidence is very important for any player and hopefully Marouane now has his back."

Mourinho also spoke about Fellaini afterwards as the midfield man scored his first goal since hitting the net in another big semi-final, last season's FA Cup last-four encounter with Everton at Wembley.

"That's the reason why I am here, to support the players especially in a difficult situation," said the boss. "He has a very strong mentality, he coped well with the situation and he was not afraid in the next match after Everton to go onto the pitch again.

"I think he played phenomenally against Reading and tonight [Tuesday] he scored an important goal for us. The dynamic has changed and the empathy from the fans. He is always supported by myself and he knows that he is a very important player for me."